The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-02
AN INVESTIGATION ASKED
DR.. Fletcher Calls the Coroner's Atten-
ton to Reports About Joe Wallace
And Demands an Official Inquiry Into the
Case-The Relatives of the Deceased,
However, Oppose the Investigation.

Superintendent Fletcher, Of the Insane Hos
pital. returned from Omaha Wednesday evening
and Immediately addressed letter to Coroner
Wagner, calling his attention to the charges
made by George Wallace through the journal
and News that his brother, Joe, who recently
died in the institution, had come to his death
through the brutal treatment of attendants. and
demanding official investigation. Dr. Wag-
ner notified him that the investigation would be
held and would be made thorough.
He began work in the case yesterday after
noon by taking the testimony of George Wal
lace. which did not differ materially from what
he said in the published interview with him.
His brothers body. he said. showed signs of
kicks and blows. On his breast was a black
spot as large as mans hand, made evil
IDENTIFY by heavy blow. He was
completely cowed, and was too timid to say
anything about the treatment he was receiving
II asked him one day how he was being treated"
said Mr. Wallace, land he showed fear because
the attendant was near. He began to say some
thing to me, but the attendant stopped him and
answered the question himself bv saving that he
gave them no trouble" Mr. Wallace also stated
that he knew of his brother being in charge of
five or six different attendants during the thirty
days he was in the hospital. He complained to
Dr. Fletcher about the treatment his brother
was receiving, and the superintendent looked
for the report from that ward to see if he was
giving tho attendants any trouble. He found
that no report had been returned, and dismissed
the subject by saying that he would have his
clerk ascertain why the ward report had not
been made out. and let him know about the
matter. That was the last heard from this COM
plant.
DR. Wagner also Intercepted several of the
relatives of the dead man bu: did not take their
testimony in detail.
The relatives of the deceased very much
opposed to the Investigation, and have requested
both Superintendent Fletcher DR.. Wagner
TO not permit it to be pushed further. They
said to Superintendent Fletcher last evening
that they were willing to exhonerate the hospi-
would be dropped. Dr. Wagner said last even
ing that he die not how the investigation
could be stopped now Still, If he found it
unnecessary he would drop it. AS vet he had not
gone far enough to say what should be done. It
Is his intention to 60 to the hospital this morn
ing to take the testimony of the attendants, and
if deemed necessary he will hold autopsy
Hill cemetery
DIR. Fletcher said yesterday that while in tho
West he told by DR. Cravens, of the Yank-
ton tDak) Asylum, where Wallace had been
confined for tins that he was possessed of
peculiar delusion, under which he insisted on all
him. If they refused to do they in
danger OF being assaulted. DR. Fletcher thought
that Wallace might have received some bruises
from patients in his efforts TO compel them to
obey him. The bruises Wallace received in the
Indiana hospital. DR.. Fletcher thinks. were
caused by his inability to control himself. He
would fall to the floor. against furniture. and
badly injure himself before the attendants could
interfere. He was SO helpless that If there
any violence used him. the superintendent
says, it was wholly uncalled for.